32+ Other Ways to Say “That Is” (110+ Examples)

It’s common to repeat the same old phrases when you write or talk. You might feel stuck, so this guide helps you find new words to use instead. We want to make your speech sound fresh, clear, and very interesting today. Learning these simple tricks helps you express your thoughts, share your feelings, and connect better with every single person.

“That Is” at Work

Specifically

Choosing this word helps you narrow down a messy point. It works when you need to be exact, clear, or very direct with coworkers. Managers love this phrase because it cuts out the fluff. Use it to point to a certain detail, a small fact, or a key task. It sounds smart, professional, and very easy to understand in meetings.

• Specifically, we need more time.
• Specifically, the goal is growth.
• Specifically, he wants the report.
• Specifically, the desk stays there.

Namely

Picking this word lets you name items from a bigger group. It works best when you want to list things clearly, neatly, or simply. People use it to avoid confusion, show order, or bring focus to a specific item. It sounds calm, helpful, and very organized in emails. You should try it when you have a list of important project items.

• Namely, we need three items.
• Namely, the pens and paper.
• Namely, the big blue desk.
• Namely, all our team members.

In Other Words

Saying this phrase makes a hard topic sound much easier to grasp. It works when you want to explain something again, differently, or more simply. Listeners feel happy because you take the time to clarify your main point. It sounds friendly, patient, and very helpful for team talks. Try using this when your boss asks you for a better summary.

• In other words, we wait.
• In other words, it breaks.
• In other words, you win.
• In other words, work stops.

To Be Precise

Using this phrase shows you care about the small, tiny details. It works well when accuracy matters, numbers count, or facts are needed. Colleagues respect you more when you show you know the exact truth. It sounds careful, honest, and very sharp during a busy work day. Use this one to fix a wrong statement or add a missing fact.

• To be precise, it cost.
• To be precise, five left.
• To be precise, time ran.
• To be precise, look there.

Meaning

Starting with this word helps you define a complex thought for others. It works when you want to provide a quick answer, a solid definition, or a simple meaning. Everyone feels smart when you make things easy for them. It sounds clear, kind, and very helpful in daily office chats. You can use it to explain a hard new rule.

• Meaning, we start at six.
• Meaning, the office stays shut.
• Meaning, the door stays locked.
• Meaning, you finish by five.

Essentially

Adding this word captures the core of what you really want to say. It works when you want to summarize, boil down, or simplify a big idea. Your point hits home faster when you use this. It sounds honest, direct, and very smart in casual office talk. Use it when you need to explain the heart of a long report.

• Essentially, the plan is done.
• Essentially, we need more time.
• Essentially, it works for us.
• Essentially, the cost is low.

Which Is

Using this phrase connects a new thought to the one you just said. It works when you want to add a detail, a name, or a label. It makes your sentences flow smoothly, nicely, and very clearly for anyone. People find you easy to follow when you use this simple tool. Try it when you describe a new office project.

• That room, which is cold.
• The chair, which is new.
• A file, which is lost.
• The meeting, which is long.

Put Another Way

Sharing this phrase helps you start a new, clearer explanation. It works when you see a confused look on someone’s face. You sound helpful, smart, and very willing to go the extra mile. It makes your point land better, clearer, and faster. Use this when you need to explain a complex tool to a new worker at your desk.

• Put another way, it fails.
• Put another way, we lose.
• Put another way, it wins.
• Put another way, you try.

Representing

Selecting this word shows you are talking about what something stands for. It works when you want to describe a symbol, a logo, or a goal. People feel excited when you show them the deeper meaning of a simple thing. It sounds formal, bright, and very clear during team events. Use it to talk about the company brand or core mission.

• Representing, the team is one.
• Representing, the goal is peace.
• Representing, a new, fresh start.
• Representing, our very best work.

“That Is” with Friends

Or Rather

Choosing this phrase lets you fix a small mistake you just made. It works when you speak fast, get excited, or want to say something better. Your friends will appreciate how you try to be exact. It sounds casual, honest, and very natural in fun weekend chats. Use it when you share a story about a party or a trip.

• It was fun, or rather.
• She is fast, or rather.
• We ran, or rather walked.
• It is red, or rather.

In Fact

Picking this word adds weight to the truth you are sharing now. It works when you want to sound sure, bold, or very firm. Friends trust your words more when you add this little punch. It sounds real, strong, and very honest in deep talks. Try this when you want to tell a secret or a big, funny truth.

• In fact, I am late.
• In fact, he left early.
• In fact, we ate dinner.
• In fact, she knows you.

Basically

Saying this phrase helps you summarize a long, wild story very quickly. It works when you talk to a friend who is short on time. You seem fun, quick, and very easy to chat with. It sounds light, simple, and very friendly in a text message. Use it to give a quick recap of your day to your best friend.

• Basically, it was a mess.
• Basically, we had some fun.
• Basically, he was quite rude.
• Basically, the movie was long.

Simply Put

Using this phrase makes your point super easy for any friend to grasp. It works when you tell a hard story in a very easy way. Friends like that you keep things simple for them. It sounds nice, clear, and very chill for a coffee hang out. Try this when explaining why you missed a fun event last week.

• Simply put, I was tired.
• Simply put, it was cool.
• Simply put, we went home.
• Simply put, she said yes.

I Mean

Starting with this word lets you fix your words right away. It works when you worry that your friend might get you wrong. You sound very thoughtful, kind, and truly sweet. It sounds soft, real, and very humble in long chats. Use this if you think your friend might feel sad about what you just said to them.

• I mean, the food sits.
• I mean, we are fine.
• I mean, he was late.
• I mean, the car stopped.

As In

Adding this word helps you give a small hint or example. It works when you want to be very clear about a specific thing. Friends appreciate your effort to make sure they know exactly what you mean. It sounds casual, helpful, and very nice during a walk. Use this if you want to name a place you visited last month.

• As in, the blue house.
• As in, the tall guy.
• As in, the cat now.
• As in, the new park.

Like

Using this word keeps things very relaxed and loose between your friends. It works when you want to give an example in a very informal way. It makes your talk sound like a normal, chill conversation. It sounds easy, common, and very friendly in every single chat. Use this when you talk about your favorite snacks or local movie spots.

• Like, the big red ball.
• Like, the fast blue car.
• Like, a cold, hard day.
• Like, the loud, fun song.

“That Is” in Writing

Known As

Choosing this phrase lets you give a name to a new item. It works when you write a report, a blog, or a school paper. Your readers learn new things quickly when you use this clear label. It sounds smart, helpful, and very formal for an essay. Use this when you want to name a special bird or a rare plant.

• Known as the small cat.
• Known as a fast bird.
• Known as the red fish.
• Known as a big tree.

Meaning That

Picking this word helps you show what a result really means. It works when you explain a cause and an effect to readers. People read your work and feel they truly understand the facts. It sounds logical, clear, and very steady for a long post. Use it to clarify why a price went up in your new business report.

• Meaning that we save money.
• Meaning that the plan works.
• Meaning that he stayed home.
• Meaning that she went far.

Which Means

Saying this phrase bridges the gap between two different thoughts well. It works when you want to explain a hard result to your reader. Your text flows nicely, smoothly, and very clearly for everyone. It sounds helpful, smart, and very easy to read. Use this when you write about how a new law will change the local city park rules.

• Which means we can stay.
• Which means the bus runs.
• Which means no one comes.
• Which means it is done.

That is to Say

Using this phrase clarifies what you just wrote in your text. It works when you want to be super sure the reader gets you. Writers often use this to sound very clear, smart, and polite. It sounds formal, steady, and very calm for a serious news piece. Use it when you want to define a new word for your readers.

• That is to say, yes.
• That is to say, leave.
• That is to say, stop.
• That is to say, wait.

In Other Terms

Starting with this word helps you restate a hard point easily. It works when your reader might be new to your topic. You sound very kind, helpful, and truly easy to read. It sounds clear, soft, and very patient for a long guide. Use it when you explain a complex, hard topic like home tax or local laws.

• In other terms, it costs.
• In other terms, be fast.
• In other terms, ask them.
• In other terms, look here.

To Phrase It Differently

Adding this word lets you try a new way to say things. It works when your first sentence sounded a bit too hard to grasp. Readers like that you take care of their reading time. It sounds nice, thoughtful, and very smart in an article. Use this to help your readers understand your big goals for the next big year.

• To phrase it differently, no.
• To phrase it differently, yes.
• To phrase it differently, wait.
• To phrase it differently, stay.

Denoted By

Selecting this word shows the reader what a thing is called. It works when you write about math, signs, or complex labels. Readers feel like they are learning a new, secret language from you. It sounds formal, bright, and very sharp for a text. Use it to explain what a symbol stands for on a map or a graph today.

• Denoted by a big star.
• Denoted by a red line.
• Denoted by the cold moon.
• Denoted by the blue sea.

Defined As

Using this phrase helps you teach your reader a specific term. It works when you want to keep your writing very clean and clear. You sound like a teacher who wants everyone to win. It sounds honest, direct, and very helpful for a book. Use this when you write about what a new, hard word truly means for folks.

• Defined as a small town.
• Defined as a bad day.
• Defined as the best job.
• Defined as a long wait.

In Short

Sharing this phrase helps you summarize your main point very fast. It works when you want to close a paragraph with a punchy thought. Readers enjoy this quick, easy way to remember your main lesson. It sounds snappy, smart, and very easy to follow in any blog post. Use it before you start a new section of your long, detailed article.

• In short, we did well.
• In short, it is gone.
• In short, they want tea.
• In short, we feel good.

Summing Up

Selecting this word helps you bring your whole argument to a finish. It works when you want to show you are done with the topic. Readers feel satisfied when you give them a clear, final thought. It sounds calm, steady, and very professional for an essay. Use this to end your write-up on a very high, strong, and clear note.

• Summing up, we had fun.
• Summing up, it is done.
• Summing up, they went home.
• Summing up, we won big.

“That Is” with Clarity

Viz

Choosing this word sounds old but very precise for lists. It works when you want to be fancy and very short. People who read lots of books will know what you mean here. It sounds smart, fast, and very clear for a quick note. Use it when you list specific items in a very short, tiny space.

• Viz, the red, hot pan.
• Viz, the big, old hat.
• Viz, the small, wet dog.
• Viz, the thin, blue pen.

Specifically

Picking this word focuses the mind of your reader right away. It works when you have many ideas but want to pick one. You seem very smart, fast, and very good at your job. It sounds clean, sharp, and very direct for a fast note. Use this to pick one item out of a group of many, many things.

• Specifically, the top red cup.
• Specifically, the best gold ring.
• Specifically, the last dark page.
• Specifically, the first big step.

Namely

Starting with this word helps you point at things with grace. It works when you need to be very clear and very neat. Readers love when you name things one by one for them. It sounds kind, steady, and very simple for a quick message. Use it to give a list of names for your next fun office picnic event.

• Namely, John and also Sue.
• Namely, Mark and also Ann.
• Namely, Paul and also Kit.
• Namely, Rose and also May.

Or Rather

Adding this word shows you are trying to be very right. It works when you correct yourself to give the best answer. People find you very honest and very easy to trust here. It sounds natural, casual, and very human for a chat. Use this when you make a small error and want to fix it fast for your friend.

• Or rather, the fast blue.
• Or rather, the big dark.
• Or rather, the cold thin.
• Or rather, the tall hot.

Actually

Using this word adds a spark of truth to your talk. It works when you want to clear up a wrong thought fast. Friends will love how you share the real truth with them. It sounds brave, honest, and very direct for a hard talk. Use this when you need to tell your friend the real cost of a trip.

• Actually, it was not true.
• Actually, I am quite busy.
• Actually, he went away now.
• Actually, we are all good.

I Mean

Selecting this word lets you fix a thought in a warm way. It works when you want to be sure you are understood well. It sounds soft, sweet, and very kind to your friend. Use this when you say something that might sound a bit odd or mean to someone else in your group at work today.

• I mean, the sky is.
• I mean, the moon is.
• I mean, the day is.
• I mean, the work is.

Table of Alternatives

Final Thoughts

I hope you liked these easy ways to talk better. You now have many tools to make your speech and your writing much more fun. Try a new one every day to see how it feels. Good luck with all your work and your chats. Keep learning and have a great day.